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A I2th- or ijth-century mace head madę from copper-alloy. Although light in comparison to later maces, such a weapon could inłlict damage to

unarmoured opponents or even through flexible mail. (Reproduced by courtesy of the Trustees of the British Museum)

GLOSSARY

Aketon A padded garment, ąuilted to keep the stuffing in place, worn under or instead of armour. First mentioned in the I2th century.

Aręon The saddle bow and cantle.

Bailey Courtyard of a castle.

Baldric Belt slung across the right shoulder, occa-sionally used to suspend the sword in the ioth and early i ith century.

Boss Metal hand-guard on circular shield; decora-tive on kite-shaped shields.

Braies Linen drawers.

Brases Straps for holding a shield.

Cantle The rear projection of a saddle.

Caparison Cloth covering for a horse, introduced in the later i2th century.

Chape Guard fitted to end of scabbard.

Chausses Leggings of cloth or mail.

Coif Headwear of cloth, usually ąuilted for military use; a mail hood.

Conroi Sąuadron of horsemen, usually 25 or 50 in number.

Curb Bit with long levers to which the rein is attached.

Destrier The warhorse.

Donjon The great tower of a castle, usually of stone. Enarmes See ‘Brases’.

Fuller Groove running down a sword blade to lighten it.

Gambeson See ‘Aketon’.

Gonfalon, Gonfanon Penon carried by a baron. Guige Strap supporting shield round the neck, or for hanging it up when not in use.

Hauberk Originally a neck-guard. Usually used to refer to the body armour.

Heim Helmet enclosing the whole head.

Hilt The cross-guard, grip and pommel of a sword. Housing See‘Caparison’.

Infulae Pair of cloth strips worn on the rear of the helmet by men of rank.

Keep See ‘Donjon’.

Kettle Hat Open helmet so-called from its likeness to an upturned cauldron.

Lamellar Armour composed of smali metal strips laced together. Uncommon in north-western Europę.

Locket Metal, ivory or bonę guard for the mouth of the scabbard.

Mail Armour composed of many interlinked iron rings.

Motte Artificial earthen mound carrying a tower, usually of timber.

Muffler Mail mitten formed by extending the sleeve.

Nasal Nose-guard.

Palfrey A good riding horse.

Pattern-welded Method of making a sword blade by twisted rods of iron and carburised iron. Less common after c. 900 but continued for making spear-heads and knives.

Pommel The weighted end of a hilt, to counter-balance the blade; the knob on a saddle bow. Pourpoint See ‘Aketon’.

Prick Spur One with a pointed terminal. Ring-work Castle consisting of a bailey only. Rouncy An ordinary riding horse.

Scalę Armour composed of overlapping metal, bonę, horn or leather scales.

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